The Olathe Public Library's 3rd Annual LEGO Design Contest will be this Saturday, April 13. This year, in order to accommodate more contestants, our contest will be held at the Indian Creek Community Church located at 12480 S. Black Bob Road, just north of the Indian Creek Branch Library.

All contest slots for K - 5th graders are filled, but there are still slots available in the Teen Category for 6th - 12th graders. For more information about the teens, call (913) 971-6888. You may also register online.

Even if you aren't in the contest, everyone is invited to come see what these young LEGO builders have created. Here is the schedule for the public:

2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Public Viewing & Voting for Best of Show

4:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony

5:00 p.m. End of Contest (All entries must be picked up by 5:00 p.m.)

So come check out this year's contest and support these creative young LEGO enthusiasts! It's sure to be a fun event.

Due to high demand, we have added a second Time for Two spring session. The new session will be at 10:45 a.m. on Friday mornings at the Indian Creek Branch Library. The five week session begins on March 29 and runs through April 26. Registration is required. You may register at either Olathe library or by calling (913) 971-6874. For more information about Time for Two click here.

Spring break is almost here! If you are looking for something fun to do on your week off, the Olathe Public Library has some great activities planned. Here's a rundown of events during spring break.

R.E.A.D. to a Dog
Saturday, March 16
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Main Library

Young readers may drop by and read to a cuddly canine at the Main Library between 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Upon arrival check in at Children's Serivces for a reading time. Reading sessions are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Trained therapy dogs provided by Pets for Life, Inc. No registration.

Join us for a free movie at the library! The whole family is welcome, but kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Wreck-It Ralph is rated PG with a running time of 108 minutes. No registration but space is limited.

Come play chess with a worthy opponent at our Family Chess Night. Boards and equipment will be provided. All ages and playing levels are welcome, but kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult. No registration.

Join us for a free movie at the library! The whole family is welcome, but kindergartners and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Wreck-It Ralph is rated PG with a running time of 108 minutes. No registration but space is limited.

We hope to see you at some of these fun activities! And don't forget to check out a great book, movie, and/or video game while you're here. The library is a great destination during spring break.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Last Friday kids came to the library to get a jump-start on the holiday at our Valentine Factory. At both the Main Library and Indian Creek Branch Library kids made valentines for their special someones. Hallmark has got nothing on these creative young folks.

Children's author Claudia Mills visited both Olathe libraries a couple of weekends ago. The turnout was overwhelming! On Saturday 119 people came to the Indian Creek Branch Library to hear Ms. Mills speak and sign books. The following day 270 people came to the Main Library to meet the author and get their books signed. The children of Olathe obviously enjoy reading books by Claudia Mills and were excited for the opportunity to meet her in person. These events were a great partnership with the Olathe Public Library, the Olathe Public Schools Foundation, and the Olathe School District's F.R.E.D. Program. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped make Ms.Mills' visit such a wonderful success.

Acclaimed author Claudia Mills will be visiting both Olathe libraries this weekend! Ms. Mills is the author of many books for young people, including the Gus and Grandpa and Mason Dixon series. Her book Pet Disasters is the current selected title in the Olathe School District's F.R.E.D. program.

Here are the full details on Claudia Mills' visits at the Olathe Public Library:

The author will be talk about her writing, answer questions about her books, and autograph books afterwards. This program is for 3rd - 8th graders and parents. Refreshments will be served. No registration required, but space is limited.

Sunday, January 27
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Main Library (201 E. Park)

Drop in to meet Ms. Mills, ask her about writing, have your books autographed, and enjoy refreshments.

These events are in partnership with the Olathe School District's Families Read Every Day program and the Olathe Public Schools Foundation.

School is out on Monday, January 21. Are you looking for something fun to do on your day off? The Kansas City Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo will be visiting the Indian Creek Branch Library that afternoon. Kids will have the opportunity to see and hear different instruments of the orchestra as well as try the instruments themselves. This program is for kids in 1st - 5th grade, but parents and sbilings will be allowed to attend if space permits. Registration is required. Register online, in person at either Olathe library, or by calling (913) 971-6874. Program will last about an hour.

The Olathe Public Library is thrilled to once again be hosting a visit by Irish musician and storyteller Máirtín de Cógáin. Máirtín will be doing a special program for elementary aged kids while he is here. He will present an hour of stories and music for kids in K - 5th grade plus parents. We're sorry, but no children younger than kindergarten for this program. Here's the info:

Music and Stories from Ireland with Máirtín de Cógáin
Thursday, January 17
4:30 p.m.
Main Library (201 E. Park, Olathe, KS 66061)

Registratioin is required. You may register online, at either Olathe library, or by calling (913) 971-6874.

Máirtín will also be doing an after hours program for adults and teens at the Main Library on Friday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. This program is entitled "Books and Bodhrans." Click here for more information. Registration is also required for the Friday evening program.

If you missed Máirtín's performance when he was here in Olathe last year, you won't want to miss him this time! And if you did catch him last time, you know you're in for a treat.

Model railroads are headed once again to the Olathe Public Library. This weekend we will feature a display of working model trains in our Storytime Room at the Main Library. Here is the schedule the display will open:

Thursday, November 29
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 1
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 2
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

So if you are a fan of model railroads or know someone who is, head on down to the Main Library and see this wonderful display. Experts will be on hand to answer any questions about the display or about model railroading. And a big thank you goes out to Louis Seibel who always generously shares his wonderful collection of trains with the library. Come check them out!

Do you love animals? Have you ever asked your parents for a pet or are you hoping to get one this holiday season? Come explore the world of pets at the Indian Creek Branch on Monday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. Join our guest presenter from PetWorld in Lawrence, Kansas, for a chance to see, touch, and learn about a variety of slimy, scaly, furry, and feathered animals. Find out what kind of pet might be a great fit for your family.

This program is for kids in K through 5th grade. Parents and older siblings may also attend. Sorry, but children younger than kindergarten will not be allowed into this program. Program will last about an hour. Registration is required. Click here to register, or call (913) 971-6874.